OP, these people are crazy. Wear the wrap and boots and have fun.

(am in SF several times monthly on business and DH's undergrad was in Palo Alto. We are there all the time and no one dresses like slobs at events. Except older men and women- often they do default to bland/casual. Still not an excuse for you to so so.)

Why try so hard to look like ass, then have to explain why you look like ass?

I live near Palo Alto. Would NOT do sweater and skirt or pumps. Low heel boots, the Eileen Fisher look someone suggested is okay with the flowy pants but not the total frump end of that spectrum -and no it's not just for 70 year olds going to a museum event. A sweater dress or other dress (not too businessy but not frilly or tight) would be okay with boots. Nice jeans would even be fine. Artsy or understated jewelry and minimal makeup. Honestly I'd just do nice sweater and black pants.

Avoid anything that looks Lilly Pulitzer, "done" hair, tight or shiny clothing.

Anonymous wrote:Are the hosts South Asian?

If they're Asian the boots will have to come off at the front door.

Are the hosts South Asian?

Anonymous wrote:We are flying in. It's going to be several hundred people and live music. I guess I would rather be overdressed than be the only one in jeans.

I would not wear a dress.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have to go to a nice housewarming party in Palo Alto. I haven't been to California in years. What do women wear? It will be tech people. I want to look nice but not stand out.

Just go for an Eileen Fisher look- the more modern version with the slightly cropped, wider leg pant, the loose natural fabric cropped sweater with stretch cami in peeking beneath. In like navy, taupe, black, eggplant or a slate blue. Pair with lace up oxfords same color as pants or a sleek sneaker. Get an artsy pair of lucite dangly earrings or similar. Delicate necklace at neck or none at all.

This is… maybe the worst suggestion I’ve ever read. Is it a parody of something?

This is exactly what my aunt in Northern California would wear.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have to go to a nice housewarming party in Palo Alto. I haven't been to California in years. What do women wear? It will be tech people. I want to look nice but not stand out.

Just go for an Eileen Fisher look- the more modern version with the slightly cropped, wider leg pant, the loose natural fabric cropped sweater with stretch cami in peeking beneath. In like navy, taupe, black, eggplant or a slate blue. Pair with lace up oxfords same color as pants or a sleek sneaker. Get an artsy pair of lucite dangly earrings or similar. Delicate necklace at neck or none at all.

This is… maybe the worst suggestion I’ve ever read. Is it a parody of something?

We are flying in. It's going to be several hundred people and live music. I guess I would rather be overdressed than be the only one in jeans.

Time of year really matters here.

Spring garden get-together is different from January house party. Though a lot of January parties here (I live here) have a component who hang out near the fireplace on the patio.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is OP- thank you. What about a navy DVF sweater wrap dress and casual boots?

Too dressy. The person who said a tank top with a hoodie nailed it.

Totally depends on the crowd but often I go with something like the dress and boots and feel way over dressed when in the Bay Area.

I'd ask the host. Are you going out to CA just for a housewarming? If it's a big blow out, invite people from across the country, the dress may be somewhat more formal than just another weekend house party, but probably less formal than DC.

Anonymous wrote:I would guess the answer might be different if the hosts are billionaires, but in general in CA I don’t think you can go wrong with nice jeans.

Have you met Steve Jobs? I have and no Billionaires do not dress differently.

OP black jeans and cute top No ballet flats no one wears those anymore. Be comfortable you will be fine. Just be presentable and comfortable. Cross body purse not a big one.

Anonymous wrote:This is OP- thank you. What about a navy DVF sweater wrap dress and casual boots?

Too dressy. The person who said a tank top with a hoodie nailed it.

Anonymous wrote:Have to go to a nice housewarming party in Palo Alto. I haven't been to California in years. What do women wear? It will be tech people. I want to look nice but not stand out.

This is how they dress. Nice pieces, well groomed (all the same money on salon treatments, just natural makeup look), nothing too eye catching, a single point of interest (in print or cut) is fine. I would do a leather shoe like a loafer, not sneakers of the stereotype. Visible branding and money spent is normal, just a little lowkey.

This is OP- thank you. What about a navy DVF sweater wrap dress and casual boots?

Expensive jeans, expensive loafers/flats/shoes with little or no heel, any cute blouse or sweater
As long as it’s not cheap and looks good on you it goes